When is a Dog Bed a Lifesaver?

According to a controversial new study published in the February issue of the Centers for Disease Control journal Emerging Infectious Diseases, sleeping with pets can put some people at risk for serious medical problems. “I know this will make me unpopular, but pets really don’t belong in your bed,” says vet Bruno Chomel, co-author of the paper. 

At greatest risk for zoonoses (diseases transmitted from animals to people) are the very young, the elderly, and those whose immune systems are compromised, such as transplant patients, diabetics, and people who are HIV-positive. Please don’t panic if Spot or Fluffy jumps on your bed – as long as pets are up-to-date with vet visits, everything will be fine.

But if you do plan to banish pets from your bed, the kindest, gentlest way to do this is by providing the comfiest, most paw-supportive dog bed possible. Give it pride of place in the bedroom, and Spot won’t even miss your bed.

Sweet dreams!

Your Zodiac Sign Has Not Changed, says Susan Miller of Astrologyzone:

The zodiac made headlines last week when a Minnesota astronomy professor proposed moving all the star signs back one month and introducing a 13th sign, Ophiuchus, to readjust the calendar.

Astrology buffs around the world tried coming to grips with the possibility that the star sign they’d known all their lives was – gasp – wrong?! Leos were faced with the possibility that they were actually Cancers… and nobody, but nobody,wanted to be reassigned as a Virgo (which mystifies me, because it’s a lovely sign).

Whew – such drama. Thankfully, Crypton’s favorite planet-reading power, the world-renowned expert Susan Miller of Astrologyzone, set us straight on Twitter. Susan dismissed the whole Ophiuchus hoopla as a publicity stunt: “You are the sign you think you are, the sign you knew since you were little! Nothing has changed.”

So, next time you cook a meal, why not show your de-sign sense by wearing an astrological apron? With 12 zodiac signs to choose from, there’s one for every planetary persuason
- and they’re all Susan-approved.

Posted by Julia Szabo.

Congratulations to Amber King, Alison Ford and Hilary Scurlock!:

They are the lucky winners of the Crypton products available in the Dwell 2010 Holiday Sweepstakes. Enjoy your Throver, Power Lines Shopper and Multi-Plex Pillow!

Thanks so much to everyone who entered the contest. Please check back soon for more opportunities to enter to win Crypton products.

New Yorker Julie Klam is the author of the best-selling dog memoir “You Had Me at Woof,” which chronicles her adventures in Boston Terrier rescue. A must-read, the book is really wonderful: alternately heartbreaking and hilarious,but always heartfelt.

Julie is a hardcore dog lover, and although her heart belongs to Bostons, she won’t hesitate to help any dog in need, regardless of breed. This past summer, she and her family came across a sweet pit bull who had been abandoned outdoors for hours in the hot sun. Says Julie: “I wasn’t going to leave him there – I would leave myself there first.” The pit, named Puck, is a staff favorite at The Simon Foundation, an excellent animal sanctuary in Connecticut where he awaits his forever home. (To inquire about adopting him, go here.)

Meanwhile, back in New York City, Julie insists that her daughter Violet, age 7, is the real dog person in the family. “She’s the biggest dog lover I have ever met in my life – she makes me look indifferent,” Julie says with a laugh. Here’s Violet enjoying a cat-nap with K9 Dahlia on a size-medium dog bed that’s big enough for two!

Posted by Julia Szabo.